If you’re headed on your first cruise through the waters around Alaska with Disney Cruise Line, here’s what you need to pack in your luggage.
Packing for an Alaskan cruise is much different than packing for a Caribbean cruise. From the weather to the itinerary, there’s a lot to consider – and a Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary is almost the complete opposite of a tropical itinerary. We’ve created your ultimate packing guide, so you make sure you check off everything on the list below before boarding the Disney Wonder.
Keep in mind as you browse this packing list, though, that it only mentions the items you may not to think to bring. It does not list your typical essentials such as everyday attire, pajamas, or travel documents, which you’ll still need to have on hand.
Cabin Essentials to Pack for an Alaska Disney Cruise
- Magnetic hooks (these come in handy for extra space!)
- Travel surge protector with USB outlets
- Door magnets for your stateroom (you’ll definitely want to decorate your door)
- Cards or small board games for days at sea
Clothing to Pack for an Alaska Disney Cruise
- Rain jacket
- Winter coat
- Gloves
- Hat (waterproof is best)
- Waterproof shoes or sneakers
- Bathing suit (Yes, this sounds odd for an Alaskan cruise, but the Disney Wonder has four jacuzzis and three pools, all of which are heated! So, make sure to bring a bathing suit to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of swimming while being surrounded by mountains.)
- Layers, layers, layers (When packing, try to keep in mind that layers are best. The weather in Alaska can be a bit unpredictable, and you don’t want to get stuck in the cold wearing a t-shirt or wearing a bulky sweater as the warm sun comes out from behind the clouds. Layers are the best option so you can peel anything off or throw items back on quickly.)
Other Cruise-Friendly Accessories and Items
- Binoculars (these will come in handy for wildlife watching)
- Phone chargers
- Power banks
- Autograph books (for meeting Disney characters)
- Camera
- Headphones
- Noisemaker
- Umbrella
- Insect repellent or bug spray (Alaska surprisingly has a lot of bugs such as mosquitoes, so it’s best to be prepared)
Be Prepared for Anything on a Cruise Through Alaska’s Waters
While the weather is pretty predictable on Caribbean cruises, an Alaska Disney cruise differs – which is why it’s important to keep weather top of mind while you pack. The weather in Alaska varies from day to day. You might expect cold weather for your trip, but it can get quite warm. I cruised in late July, and it only rained one day; the rest of the port days were sunny and 70 degrees. However, our at-sea days and our Hubbard Glacier day were closer to 50 degrees and windy. With that being said, I highly recommend looking at the weather and the average temperature and rainfall percentage for the time you plan to cruise to help make packing a bit easier.
Another detail to keep in mind is that most Disney Alaska cruise itineraries include a formal night, a semi-formal night, and a Frozen-themed night, meaning you may want to pack a pair of nice dress shoes or heels as well as one to two evening dresses or dress shirts and ties, along with a Frozen-themed outfit for the “Freezing the Night Away” party.
And lastly, in regard to excursions, I highly recommend reading the descriptions and fine print for any excursions you may have booked. Most of the time, the excursion descriptions will explain what, exactly, you’ll be doing on the excursion or tour and what type of shoes and outfits you should wear. For example, on one of my excursions, we walked through a rainforest, so they recommend I wear waterproof shoes and bring a rain jacket to stay dry.
